"Hypoallergenic" is a claim. Here is what stands behind it.

Start here

• What hypoallergenic does and doesn't mean

  The term has no legal definition. Here is what we check instead.

• How to read an allergy certification

  What the Asthma & Allergy Friendly mark covers, and what it does not.

• Not sure where to begin?

  Answer two questions and get a shortlist to read about.

Latest research

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  Ingredients & materials

  Gold karats and nickel: 10k, 14k, 18k

  A karat mark says how much of the piece is gold. It does not say what the rest is. DermNet says white gold is usually alloyed with nickel, and its advice for people with nickel allergy is at least 18 karat. Lower karats leave more room for other metals, but no source we read states nickel content for 10k or 14k, so ask the maker.

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  Bedding & pillows

  How to read a bedding allergy certification label

  Bedding marks fall into two groups. The Asthma & Allergy Friendly mark, run by AAFA, is a program for asthma and allergy suitability; OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 is a textile label for harmful-substance testing. Check which one you see, and look the product up with the certifier.

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  Ingredients & materials

  Asthma and allergy friendly certification: what the program is

  The Asthma & Allergy Friendly mark is run by Allergy Standards Limited (ASL), with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) as US partner. Independent labs test products against a standard for each product type. The public pages give principles, not numeric limits.

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  Bedding & pillows

  Bamboo vs cotton sheets for sensitive skin and allergies

  We found no study, regulator page or standard that says bamboo or cotton sheets are better for allergies or sensitive skin. The documented difference is on the label: US rules give rayon a generic fibre name, and two cotton sheet sets have maker-stated materials in our records; we hold no bamboo sheet record.

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  Bedding & pillows

  Down vs down alternative pillows for allergies

  The sources we read do not name a winner. Older studies found more dust mite allergen on synthetic pillows than on feather pillows, while down bedding has been linked to hypersensitivity pneumonitis in one cohort. None of our pillow records is a down pillow.

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  Ingredients & materials

  Dust-mite encasements: how pore size works

  A 1999 lab study reports mite allergens were blocked below detectable limits by fabrics with an average pore size under 10 micrometres. AAFA says to look for pores too small for mites and their waste to pass. None of the five protector pages we read gave a pore size.

All articles (archive)

Editor's pick

Meets our criteria; the maker doesn't call it hypoallergenic

Avocado Green Mattress Organic Waterproof Mattress Protector

Avocado Green Mattress · Price band $$$$ · Manufacturer data

Why: the maker page names GOTS organic certification (CU863637) and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certificate 24.HUS.86422, as the page states them. The maker states it is "GOTS Organic Certified by Control Union (CU863637)" and lists two organic cotton layers around a polyurethane membrane, with no fire retardants or antimicrobial treatments.

Status: Meets our criteria; the maker doesn't call it hypoallergenic (13 November 2026)

Size on the maker page

Queen standard pocket 80" x 60" x 15" source (checked 13 November 2026)

Material or certification (maker)

Two layers of organic cotton around an ultra-thin, breathable polyurethane membrane (Susterra® propanediol); no fire retardants or antimicrobial treatments source (checked 13 November 2026)

Maker's claim (explicit), quoted

GOTS Organic Certified by Control Union (CU863637). source (checked 13 November 2026)

Caveats noted when the page was read

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certificate no. 24.HUS.86422; also MADE SAFE®, GREENGUARD Gold (as on page) source (checked 13 November 2026)

Check live price at Amazon (opens Amazon, affiliate link)

Image: Amazon listing image, linked from Amazon.

Read the full guide: Best hypoallergenic bedding

The Shortlist

Products selected from certification, material and published ingredient data. Not hands-on tested. See all 101.

• Almay Ageless Smart Shade Foundation

  Almay · $

• Almay Color & Care Lip Oil in Stick

  Almay · $

• Almay Hypoallergenic Liquid Eyeliner

  Almay ·

• Almay Intense i-color Shadow Palette

  Almay · $

• Almay Length & Lift Mascara

  Almay ·

• Almay Lip Vibes Lipstick

  Almay · $

• Almay Multi-Benefit Mascara

  Almay ·

• Almay Pressed Powder

  Almay · $